Many lodge loyalty packages, together with World of Hyatt, Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, provide cobranded bank cards. And even when you solely stick with a selected lodge loyalty program just a few instances every year, you should still profit from signing up for that program’s bank card. In any case, a few of the greatest lodge bank cards provide priceless advantages that far outweigh the charges.
An annual free night time certificates is among the greatest perks often provided by lodge bank cards. This anniversary night time can usually justify the card’s annual payment earlier than you even take into account any of the cardboard’s different perks.
As such, I usually do not hesitate to open a brand new lodge bank card that gives an annual award night time. And I’ve by no means closed a bank card that gives one. In any case, I all the time get extra worth from the annual free night time and different perks than the annual payment I pay.
In the event you’re not set on a lodge bank card, take into account a journey bank card, which gives extra flexibility in incomes and redemption. However as we look forward to fall and vacation journey, now is a superb time so as to add a number of of the perfect lodge bank cards to your pockets.
So, let’s evaluate a few of the greatest lodge bank cards that provide cardholders an annual free night time.
Greatest lodge bank cards with an annual free night time
The knowledge for the Hilton Aspire has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Associated: Battle of the mid-tier lodge playing cards: Which card outshines the others?
Evaluating lodge bank cards that provide an annual free night time
Lodge bank card | Greatest for | Annual free night time particulars | Annual payment |
---|---|---|---|
World of Hyatt Credit score Card | Hyatt loyalists | One free night time at any Class 1-4 Hyatt lodge or resort yearly after your cardmember anniversary
Earn one additional free night time at any Class 1-4 Hyatt lodge or resort when you spend $15,000 in a calendar 12 months |
$95 |
The Hilton Honors American Specific Aspire Card | Hilton loyalists | One free night time reward together with your new card and once more yearly after renewal
One extra free night time reward after you make $30,000 in card purchases in a calendar 12 months and one other free night time reward after $60,000 in purchases |
$550 |
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card | Marriott loyalists | One free night time award yearly after your account anniversary, legitimate for a one-night keep at a property with a redemption worth of as much as 35,000 factors | $95 |
Marriott Bonvoy Good American Specific Card | Marriott loyalists who need additional perks | One free night time award yearly after your card renewal month. You should use the free night time award for one night time (as much as 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors) at a taking part lodge | $650 (see charges and costs) |
Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise American Specific Card | Enterprise vacationers who’re Marriott loyalists | One free night time award yearly after your card account anniversary, legitimate for a one-night lodge stick with a redemption degree of as much as 35,000 factors
Earn one extra free night time award, legitimate for a one-night lodge stick with a redemption degree of as much as 35,000 factors, after spending $60,000 in purchases in your card in a calendar 12 months |
$125 (see charges and costs) |
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit score Card | IHG loyalists | One free night time legitimate at IHG motels with some extent redemption degree of 40,000 factors or much less after your account anniversary every year | $99 |
IHG One Rewards Premier Enterprise Credit score Card | Greatest for enterprise vacationers who’re IHG loyalists | One free night time legitimate at IHG motels with some extent redemption degree of 40,000 factors or much less after your account anniversary every year | $99 |
Diving deeper into the perfect lodge bank cards with annual free night time awards
Earlier than deciding on any of those playing cards, it is best to perceive their advantages and incomes charges. The welcome provide valuations for the playing cards beneath are based mostly on TPG’s August 2024 valuations.
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World of Hyatt Credit score Card: Greatest for Hyatt loyalists
In the event you’re like many TPGers, you are an enormous fan of the Hyatt chain of motels. The World of Hyatt Credit score Card is implausible for anybody who stays with Hyatt not less than a few instances every year.
Welcome bonus: Earn 30,000 bonus factors after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Plus, earn as much as 30,000 extra bonus factors by incomes 2 bonus factors complete per $1 spent within the first six months from account opening on purchases that usually earn 1 bonus level, on as much as $15,000 spent.
Welcome provide worth: As much as $1,020
Annual payment: $95
Rewards fee: Earn 4 factors per greenback on purchases at Hyatt properties; 2 factors per greenback on native transit and commuting, at eating places, on airline tickets bought instantly from the airline and on health membership and fitness center memberships; and 1 level per greenback on every little thing else.
Annual free night time profit: The World of Hyatt Credit score Card gives a free night time at a Class 1-4 lodge every year after your cardmember anniversary. You can too obtain a second free night time at a Class 1-4 lodge every year once you spend $15,000 on the cardboard in a calendar 12 months.
Why this profit is efficacious: Hyatt has an enticing checklist of Class 1-4 properties. You may discover loads of Hyatt Locations and Hyatt Homes on the Class 1-4 checklist.
Nonetheless, higher-tier Hyatt manufacturers are additionally out there, together with Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Centric, Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt and Andaz. There are even some stable Hyatt Class 1-4 properties within the U.S., in addition to some properties that might be good for a household trip.
Plus, you do not pay resort charges at Hyatt when staying on a free night time award. With a mean nightly fee at a Hyatt property round $250, it must be simple to get not less than $95 of worth out of your certificates.
Different card particulars:
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluate of the World of Hyatt Credit score Card.
Apply right here: World of Hyatt Credit score Card
Hilton Honors American Specific Aspire Card: Greatest for Hilton loyalists
Hilton followers will admire the entire advantages that the Hilton Amex Aspire card gives.
Welcome bonus: Earn 150,000 Hilton Honors bonus factors after spending $6,000 on purchases throughout the first six months of card membership.
Welcome provide worth: $900
Annual payment: $550
Rewards fee: Earn 14 Hilton factors per greenback on eligible purchases at motels or resorts within the Hilton portfolio; 7 factors per greenback on flights booked instantly with airways or American Specific Journey, automotive leases booked instantly from choose automotive rental firms and at U.S. eating places; and three factors per greenback on different eligible purchases.
Annual free night time profit: The Hilton Aspire Amex gives one free night time award together with your new card and yearly after renewal. You possibly can earn an extra night time after spending $30,000 on purchases in your card in a calendar 12 months, then one other after spending $60,000 in your card in the identical calendar 12 months.
Why this profit is efficacious: The sky is the restrict when redeeming Hilton free night time award certificates. There is no such thing as a class cap, so you may redeem your free night time at some genuinely distinctive Hilton properties. Nevertheless, there are a number of excluded properties, so verify earlier than planning your redemption.
Different card particulars:
- Hilton Diamond elite standing for so long as your card is open
- As much as $400 Hilton Resort credit score every year of card membership every calendar 12 months (as much as $200 bi-annually)
- As much as $200 annual airline payment credit score for incidental prices charged by a qualifying airline of your option to your card per calendar 12 months (as much as $50 every quarter)
- Name Hilton Honors to e book a two-night minimal keep and obtain as much as $100 in credit for qualifying prices at taking part Waldorf Astoria Motels & Resorts and Conrad Motels & Resorts.
- No international transaction charges
Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply.
Study extra: Hilton Honors American Specific Aspire
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card: Greatest for Marriott loyalists
With an affordable annual payment, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card is a superb selection for Marriott followers who cannot justify paying triple digits for a lodge card every year.
Welcome bonus: Earn three free night time awards (every night time valued as much as 50,000 factors) after spending $3,000 within the first three months of account opening. Sure motels have resort charges.
Welcome provide worth: $1,275
Annual payment: $95
Rewards fee: Earn as much as 17 Marriott Bonvoy® factors per greenback spent at Marriott Bonvoy motels, 3 factors per greenback on the primary $6,000 spent in mixed purchases every year on fuel stations, grocery shops and eating, and a couple of factors per greenback on all different purchases.
Annual free night time profit: The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless gives one free night time award yearly after your account anniversary, legitimate for a one-night keep at a property with a redemption worth of as much as 35,000 factors.
Why this profit is efficacious: Marriott’s portfolio accommodates many fascinating 35,000-point-or-less motels that qualify for this certificates. So, you should not have an issue discovering a property that matches the invoice, even when you’re touring as a household. As such, getting not less than $95 of worth out of your 35,000-point certificates must be simple.
Different card particulars:
- Marriott Silver elite standing every account anniversary 12 months as a cardholder
- Path to Gold elite standing once you spend $35,000 on purchases every calendar 12 months
- 15 elite night time credit towards the subsequent degree of Marriott Bonvoy Elite standing every calendar 12 months
- Earn one credit score towards elite standing for each $5,000 you spend
- No international transaction charges
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluate of the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless.
Apply right here: Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit score Card
Marriott Bonvoy Good American Specific Card: Greatest for Marriott loyalists who need additional perks
In the event you stick with Marriott Bonvoy a number of instances a 12 months, the Marriott Bonvoy Good could also be a good selection regardless of its excessive annual payment.
Welcome bonus: Earn 185,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening. Provide ends Oct. 2.
Welcome provide worth: $1,573
Annual payment: $650(see charges and costs)
Rewards fee: Earn 6 Marriott factors per greenback at motels taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; 3 factors per greenback on eating at eating places worldwide and on flights booked instantly with airways; and a couple of factors per greenback on different eligible purchases.
Annual free night time profit: The Marriott Bonvoy Good gives one free night time award yearly after your card renewal month. You should use the free night time award for one night time (as much as 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors) at a taking part lodge.
Why this profit is efficacious: TPG’s August 2024 valuations peg the worth of 85,000 Marriott factors at $723. Many glorious Marriott properties are bookable for 85,000 factors or much less.
Different card particulars:
Enrollment is required for choose advantages; phrases apply.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluate of the Marriott Bonvoy Good American Specific.
Apply right here: Marriott Bonvoy Good American Specific Card
Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise American Specific Card: Greatest for enterprise vacationers who’re Marriott loyalists
Even when you do not personal a standard enterprise, you should still qualify for a enterprise lodge card just like the Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise Amex.
Welcome bonus: Earn three free night time awards after spending $6,000 on eligible purchases throughout the first six months of card membership. The redemption degree is as much as 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors every, for a complete potential worth of as much as 150,000 factors, at motels taking part in Marriott Bonvoy. Resort charges might apply.
Welcome provide worth: $1,275
Annual payment: $125
Rewards fee: Earn 6 Marriott factors per greenback at motels taking part within the Marriott Bonvoy program; 4 factors per greenback on eligible purchases at eating places worldwide, at U.S. fuel stations, on wi-fi phone providers bought instantly from U.S. service suppliers and on U.S. purchases for transport; and a couple of factors per greenback on all different eligible purchases.
Annual free night time profit: The Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise gives one free night time award yearly after your card renewal month. Plus, you may earn an extra free night time award after spending $60,000 in purchases in your card in a calendar 12 months. You should use your free night time award for one night time (redemption degree at or beneath 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy factors) at a taking part lodge.
Why this profit is efficacious: TPG’s August 2024 valuations peg the worth of 35,000 Marriott factors at $298. Some spectacular Marriott properties costing 35,000 factors or much less per night time qualify for this reward.
So, even when you’re taking your loved ones alongside for the night time, there are some nice choices. Briefly, getting not less than $125 of worth out of your 35,000-point certificates must be simple.
Different card particulars:
- Marriott Gold elite standing so long as you are a cardmember
- 15 elite night time credit towards the subsequent degree of Marriott Bonvoy Elite standing
- No international transaction charges (see charges and costs)
Enrollment required for choose advantages; phrases apply.
To be taught extra, take a look at our full evaluate of the Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise American Specific.
Apply right here: Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise American Specific Card
IHG One Rewards Premier Credit score Card: Greatest for IHG loyalists
IHG followers will admire the IHG One Premier‘s cheap annual payment and stable advantages.
Welcome bonus: Earn 5 free nights (every valued at as much as 60,000 factors) after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. This limited-time provide ends Sept. 4.
Welcome provide worth: $1,500
Annual payment: $99
Rewards fee: Earn as much as 26 factors per greenback on purchases at IHG Motels & Resorts worldwide; 5 factors per greenback on journey, fuel stations and eating places; and three factors per greenback on all different purchases.
Annual free night time profit: The IHG One Rewards Premier gives an anniversary night time yearly at one in every of IHG’s eligible properties worldwide. You may get this anniversary night time in your account anniversary date every year and have 12 months to e book and full your keep. You should use this anniversary night time at IHG Motels with a present level redemption degree of 40,000 factors or much less.
Why this profit is efficacious: Due to IHG’s dynamic pricing, you may e book many IHG motels utilizing the IHG One Premier Card’s anniversary reward night time. So, it is price checking whether or not you should utilize your anniversary night time to snag a few of IHG’s high motels.
For instance, I’ve booked the superb InterContinental Danang Solar Peninsula Resort utilizing two of the IHG Premier’s anniversary night time certificates.
Different card particulars:
- Computerized IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite standing so long as you stay a cardholder
- World Entry, Nexus, or TSA PreCheck payment credit score of as much as $100 each 4 years as reimbursement for the appliance payment charged to your card
- Fourth night time free once you redeem IHG factors for any keep of three or extra nights
- As much as $50 United Airways TravelBank Money every year (as much as $25 biannually)
To be taught extra, take a look at our full evaluate of the IHG One Rewards Premier.
Apply right here: IHG One Rewards Premier Credit score Card
IHG One Rewards Premier Enterprise Credit score Card: Greatest for enterprise vacationers who’re IHG loyalists
In the event you’re a enterprise proprietor and an IHG fan, the IHG One Rewards Premier Enterprise card is a cheap choice so that you can take into account.
Welcome bonus: Earn 140,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Welcome provide worth: $700
Annual payment: $99
Rewards fee: Earn as much as 26 factors per greenback on purchases at IHG Motels & Resorts worldwide; 5 factors per greenback on journey, fuel stations, eating places, social media, search engine promoting and workplace provide shops; and three factors per greenback on all different purchases.
Annual free night time profit: The IHG One Rewards Premier Enterprise Credit score Card gives an anniversary night time yearly at one in every of IHG’s eligible properties worldwide. You’ll obtain the award in your card’s anniversary date every year and have 12 months to make use of your complimentary reservation. The award is legitimate for motels with a redemption degree of 40,000 factors or much less.
Why this profit is efficacious: Having the IHG One Premier Enterprise card may help you snag a few of the greatest IHG motels on the planet for a fraction of the associated fee. A few of the highest-priced IHG properties, such because the InterContinental New York Barclays, may be priced as little as 40,000 factors per night time.
Different card particulars:
- Computerized IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite standing so long as you stay a cardholder
- World Entry, Nexus, or TSA PreCheck payment credit score of as much as $100 each 4 years as reimbursement for the appliance payment charged to your card
- Fourth night time free once you redeem IHG factors for any keep of three or extra nights
- As much as $50 United Airways TravelBank Money every year (as much as $25 biannually)
To be taught extra, take a look at our full evaluate of the IHG One Rewards Premier Enterprise card.
Apply right here: IHG One Rewards Enterprise Premier Credit score Card
How we selected the perfect lodge bank cards that provide an annual free night time
We thought of numerous elements when selecting the right lodge bank cards that present an annual free night time. Most significantly, we solely included playing cards providing a free night time (or sufficient factors for a free night time) to all cardholders not less than every year.
As such, we excluded any playing cards, such because the Hilton Honors American Specific Surpass® Card and the Hilton Honors American Specific Enterprise Card, that solely present an annual free night time if the cardholder meets particular spending thresholds.
For playing cards that provide an annual free night time (or sufficient factors to money in for a free night time), we additionally thought of whether or not cardholders can receive an extra free night time after reaching a spending threshold, different priceless card advantages like elite standing and excessive bonus classes and the annual payment.
How lodge bank card free nights are awarded
Every lodge card featured on this information gives not less than one free night time yearly, both when your assertion closes following the anniversary of your account opening or once you pay the annual payment.
The free night time will usually seem as an award or perk in your account. Nevertheless, some packages, corresponding to Hilton, present a certificates quantity you have to name to make use of.
Lodge loyalty packages usually prohibit free-night certificates to the decrease half of this system’s reward classes, however exceptions exist. And also you usually have just one 12 months to make use of every certificates.
Tips on how to maximize bank card annual free nights
You could possibly use your free night time award by itself for a one-night keep. Or, you would tack it onto a extra prolonged keep booked with factors or money. You could possibly even e book a number of nights utilizing free night time awards in case you have a number of your self or are touring with others who even have free night time awards. Nevertheless, when you e book consecutive reservations, it is best to let the lodge know so you may stay in the identical room.
It usually is sensible to redeem awards for the best class potential and examine the money fee to the certificates’s worth. Nevertheless, do not deal with maximizing a free night time award a lot that it goes to waste. Keep in mind to redeem and keep earlier than its expiration date in case your card’s certificates has one.
Usually, you needn’t pay taxes when redeeming a free night time. Plus, Hyatt and Hilton usually waive resort charges on award nights.
However you should still have to pay charges on award nights. Particularly, when you’re touring to a vacation spot like French Polynesia or the Maldives, you may nearly all the time nonetheless have to pay costly switch charges to get from the airport to the property, which is commonly on one other island.
Backside line
Though a few of the greatest lodge bank cards solely present an annual free night time beginning in your first cardmember anniversary, some provide the primary annual free night time shortly after you develop into a cardmember.
Plus, all of those playing cards present elite perks and priceless welcome bonuses to eligible new cardholders. Including a number of of those playing cards to your pockets now could possibly be simply what you want in your subsequent journey.
Associated: How to decide on a lodge bank card
For charges and costs of the Marriott Bonvoy Good Amex, click on right here.
For charges and costs of the Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise Amex, click on right here.